Shelf paper



July 18, 1939- K. c. HAMILTON 2,166,352

SHELF PAPER Filed Dec. 27, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 18, 1939- I K. c. HAMILTON 2,166,352

SHELF" PAPER Filed Dec. 27, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Alf y JE .6:32a 22\ @wh/. l Wl J@uml@lllgmmoma@ ya 335 July 18, 1939. K. c. HAMILTON SHELF PAPER Filed Deo. 27, 1957 'o' Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED sTA'rEs .PATENT OFFIQE SHELF PAPER Application December 27, 1937, Serial No. 181,777

12 Claims.

This invention relates to shelf paper and the like which usually comprises a shelf covering section adapted to be placed over the upper surface of a shelf and an edging section adapted to hang over one edge of the shelf for decorative purposes. Usually, the edging section is ornamented in various ways, as by perforated designs, printing, embossing and the like.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is the provision of a shelf paper in which the shelf covering section and the edging section are connected together by a line of scoring, which may either take the form of a series of perforations, an interrupted or an uninterrupted line of cuts extending partially through the paper, or any other form of weakening that may be desired. This line of scoring is so disposed that, according to the present invention, it has optional functions; that is, where it is desired to use the edging and shelf covering sections together, such a line of scoring or weakening defines a fold line coinciding with the edge of the shelf and materially facilitating the placing of the shelf paper in a neat and attractive manner, or the line of scoring or weakening may be used as the line of separation by which one section may be detached from the other and the sections used separately with `the shelf covering section on one shelf and the edging section on another shelf. In this connection it is also an object of the present invention to provide a line or zone or zones of adhesive on the back side of either or both sections, particularly adjacent the line of scoring or weakening, so that this adhesive may be used to secure a section or sections in' place, particularly when used separately, although the present invention is not limited to this use since the adhesive on the back side of the shelf paper may be used, if desired, to secure the paper in position when the shelf covering section and the edging section are used together.

Still further, another object of the present invention is the provision of a shelf paper in which the edging can be made separately from the shelf covering section, whereby it is possible to make the edging section of better stock, thicker stock, or otherwise subject the section to different treatment without having to use the same kind ofv stock or employ the same processing for the shelf covering section, the-connection between these sections being such as to define a fold line or line of separation permitting the shelf paper to be used with the shelf covering and edging (Cl. L11--10) sections connected together or as separate parts in the manner set forth above.

Still further, another object of the present invention is the provision of a line of perforations or other weakened portions between the edging section and the shelf covering section, which line is of ornamental configuration permitting not only the detachment of the edging section from the shelf covering section but leaving the latter with an ornamental edge which can be folded l@ over the edge of the shelf when the shell' covering section is used alone, whereby the ornamental marginal portion of the latter might be termed an auxiliary edging section.

These and other objects and advantages of 15 this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred structural embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiments.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view of the upper or outer surface of a shelf paper constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the back side or underneath surface of the paper shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a view looking toward a shelf on which the paper shown in Figures 1 and 2 is applied; 30

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view looking toward a shelf on which the shelf covering section of the shelf paper has been separated from the edging section and applied to a shelf;

Figure 6 is a view taken along the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the use of the edging section separately from the shelf covering 40 section, Figure 8 being a section taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figures 9 and 10 are upper and lower views of another form of shelf paper;

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the use of the 45 paper shown in Figures 9 and 10 with the shelf covering and edging sections connected together, Figure 12 being a section taken along the line, i2-l2 of Figure 11;

Figures 13 and 14 show the use of the shelf 5U covering section separated from the edging section, Figure 14 being a section taken along the line Illit of Figure 13;

Figures 15 and 16 illustrate the use of the edging section separated from the shelf covering section, Figure 16 being a section taken along the line I6-I6 of Figure 15;

Figures 17 and 18 illustrate another form of shelf paper in which the shelf covering section and the edging section are made of different materials connected together by a third, or connecting, section, Figure 18 being a section taken along the line |8-I8 of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a section similar to Figure 18 but illustrating a modification thereof;

Figures 20 and 21 show another form of my invention, Figure 21 being a section taken along the line 2 |-2I of Figure 20;

Figures 22 and 23 illustrate a further form of my invention in which the shelf covering section and the edging section are integral, with the edging section provided with a treated surface, Figure 23 being a section taken along the line 23-23 of Figure 22; and

Figure 24 is a section similar to Figure 23 but showing a different application of adhesive.

Referring now more particularly to Figures l to 8, inclusive, the shelf paper is shown in Figure 1 as extended. The shelf covering section is indicated by a reference numeral I and the edging section is indicated by the reference numeral 2. Either section may be ornamented as desired. For example, the shelf covering section I may have lines 4 printed or pressed therein, and the edging section 2 may have ornamentations 5, 6, I and 8, together with scalloped marginal portions 9. Usually it is the edging section 2 that bears all or at least a major portion of the ornamentation, since it is the edging section which hangs over the edge of the shelf, indicated by the reference numeral I2 in Figure 4 and is in full view. In Figure 2, the reference numerals la and 2a indicate shelf covering and edging sections which are somewhat less ornamented than the form of shelf paper shown in Figure 1.

According to the principles of the present invention the sections I and 2 are connected together by a line of scoring I which preferably takes the formof a series of perforationsextending longitudinally of the paper. Of course, other forms of weakening may be employed, such as score lines, interrupted or uninterrupted, extending partially through the paper, or any other means desired. The line of perforations I5 define either a fold line or a line of separation, according to the use to which the shelf paper is applied. Referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that the line of scoring I5 facilitates holding the sections I and 2 so that the section I lies smooth and neat along the upper surface of the shelf I2 while the edging section 2 hangs perpendicularly from the edge of the shelf in a neat and attractive manner, the line of scoring I5 coinciding with the upper forward edge of the shelf I2.

If it is desired to use the sections I and 2 separately, they may be detached from one another by tearing along the line I5, the perforations or other form of weakening facilitating separating the sections I and 2 along a line that is definitely determined and which leaves both sections I and 2 capable of independent use, and without danger of tearing or otherwise mutilating either or both of the sections at any point. In Figures 5 and 6, the shelf covering section I has been used to cover a shelf I2a without the edging section 2, and in Figures 7 and 8, the edging 2 has been applied to a shelf I2b but with? out using the shelf covering section I. To this end, the edging section 2 is provided with a line or zone or Zones of adhesive I8 along the line of perforation I5 so that the edging section 2 may be attached to the forward edge of the shelf I21J and retained in place by the adhesive I8. The adhesive I8 may be a continuous line of glue, paste or the like, or it may consist of a series or line of spots of adhesive, as illustrated.

In Figures 1 to 8 I have shown the fold or separation line of scoring I5 as a straight line, coinciding exactly with the upper edge of the shelf. This line need not be straight, however, but may itself embody certain decorative features, such as being in the form of scallops or the like, as is illustrated in the form of the invention shown in Figures 9 to 16. Referring now to these features the shelf paper shown in Figures 9 and 10 embodies a shelf covering portion 20 and an edging section 2| connected together by a series of arcuate perforations 22 in closely spaced relation. Ornamentations 25,26, 21, 28 and 29 may be applied to the sections 20 and 2|, and the lower margin of the latter may have scallops 30. Adhesive 32 is applied to the back side of the edging section 2| adjacent the line of arcuate perforations 22.

The shelf paper shown in Figures 9 and 10 d may be used with the sections 20 and 2| connected together, in which case the line of perforations 22 serve to dene a fold line permitting the section 20 to overlie the upper surface of the shelf 33 to which the paper is applied, and when the perforated line 22 coincides with the upper forward edge of the shelf, the edging section 2| hangs downwardly over the edge of the shelf in a neat and attractive manner, as best shown in Figures 1l and 12.

The sections 20 and 2| may be separated along the line of perforations 22 to permit the use of the shelf covering portion 28 separately from the edging section 2|, as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. One advantage of the construction shown in these figures is that when the edging section 2| is separated from the shelf covering 4section 20, the forward or exposed margin of the shelf covering section 20 presents a number of attractively lappearing scallops 22a (Figure 13) or other configuration, depending upon the form of the perforations 22. If desired, adhesive may be applied to the back side of certain or all of the scallops 22a.

Figures and 16 illustrate the use of the edging section 2| separate from the shelf covering section 20, the glue spots 32 being used to secure the upper edge of the edging section 2| in place on the edge of the shelf 33h. It will be observed that by virtue of the formation of the perforations 22, when the edging section 2| is used separately and applied to the forward edge of the shelf, the upper as well as the lower margin of the edging section 2| presents a decorative appearance which, moreover, is complementary with respect to the appearance of the exposed edge of the shelf covering section when the latter is used separately from the edging section 2|.

In the forms of the invention described above, the shelf covering section and the edging section are integral portions connected together by a line of scoring in the form of perforations or other weakened sections. In Figures 17 to 24, I have shown forms of my invention in which the edging sections are of stock that is different, preferably heavier, than the stock from which the shelf covering sections are made. Since it is only the edging section that, as a rule, hangs over the edge of the shelf and is exposed to view, it is desirable to form the edging section of better and more highly ornamented paper or other material than the shelf covering section which is rarely exposed to view. Therefore, according to the present invention as set forth in Figures 17 to 24, the relatively heavier edging section and the shelf covering section formed of more inexpensive stock are connected together by a strip of paper or other material that is provided with a line of scoring, such as perforations, weakened sections or the like, which forms a connecting element between the two sections permitting the more highly ornamented edging section to be exposed to view but without requiring that any of the relatively expensive edging stock be folded back unnecessarily over the shelf. This connecting portion, in a manner similar to' the integral shelf paper described above, provides a fold line, where the sections are to be used together, and a line of separation where the edging section is to be separated from the shelf covering section.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1'7 to 19, inclusive, the reference numeral B indicates a shelf covering section and the reference numeral 5| indicates an edging section. In Figures 13 and 19, the thickness of these sections have, of course, been exaggerated in order to illustrate that the edging section 5| is heavier, stiffer, or otherwise more expensive than the shelf covering section 55. The connecting strip adhesively secured to the sections and 5| is indicated as 54 and is provided with lines or zones 55 and 56 of adhesive by which the strip 54 is secured to the sections 5|) and 5|. The line of scoring, such as perforation or the like, is indicated at 51, and the adhesive 56 on the back side of the connecting strip 54 may be extended, as at 58, to provide for separately securing the edging section 5| to the edge of a shelf after it is detached from the shelf covering section 50. If desired, `and as illustrated in Figure 19, the adhesive 55 may be extended rearwardly, as at 59, to provide for turning over the shelf covering section 5i) and securing it to the upper surface of the shelf along the edge.

Figures 20 and 21 illustrate a form of construction similar to Figures 17 to 19. In Figures 20 and 21 the shelf covering section 5e and the edging section 5| are connected together by a connecting strip 62 having a line of scoring 63 and provided with adhesive portions 64 and 65 on its upper surface by which the strip 62 is secured to the under side of the shelf covering and edging sections 55 and 5|, respectively. If desired, lines or zones of adhesive 61 and 68 may be placed on the lower side of the strip 62 to provide for fastening the sections 50 and 5| to shelves indedependently of one another after the sections are perforated along the score line B3. If the sections are not to be separated, the score line 63 defines a fold line, as in the forms described above.

Figures 22 and 23 illustrate another form of the present invention in which the shelf covering section 10 and the edging section 1| are in tegral, being made of the same stock, but the edging section 1| is provided with a lacquered, enameled, or otherwise treated surface 12 for stiffening or ornamenting the edging section 1|. The sections 15 and 1| are connected by a line or scoring 13 which provides a fold line or a line of separation, according to the manner in which the shelf paper is to be used. Adhesive 15, preferably in the form of a line of spots or zones, is

provided on the back side of the edging section 1| adjacent the line of scoring 13.

Figure 24 is similar to Figure 23 except that, instead of spots of adhesive 15, an adhesive strip 18 is secured to the under side of the shelf paper along the line of scoring 13 and, if desired, the adhesive strip 18 may also be provided with a line of scoring. The adhesive 18 may be used to secure the sections 1U and 1l to the shelf, both when they are usedtogether with the line 13 serving as a fold line and also when the sections 1|) and 1| are used separately.

In Figures 23 and 24 it will be noted that I have illustrated the lacquered or otherwise treated edging section as having a separate layer 12. It will be understood that this is principally for illustration, inasmuch as certain treatments of the edging section to render the same ornamental, stiffer than the shelf covering section, or for other purposes, need not necessarily take the form of a separate layer. For example, the material treating the edging sections may be in the form of an impregnating substance extending at least partially throughout the fibers of the edging section Without displaying a denite separate layer of material, such as Figures 23 and 24 might seem to imply.

While I have shown and described above the preferred means in which the principles of my invention have been embodied, it is t0 be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described, but that, in fact, Widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A dual duty shelf paper having two sections connected together by a line of weakening which, at the option of the user, is adapted to serve as a linearly straight self-creasing fold line that coincides with the edge of the shelf when the sections are used together with one covering the shelf and the other serving as a decorative section, said s elf-creasing fold line ensuring that the decorative section will hang straight, said line of weakening at the option of the user also being adapted to facilitate separating said shelf and edging sections along a straight line so that either section may be used independently of the other with the edge of either section, as established by separating said sections along said line of weakening, adapted to coincide with the edge of the shelf.

2. A dual duty shelf paper as defined in claim l in which there is a zone of adhesive on the back of one of said sections adjacent said line of weakening for securing said one section to a shelf.

3. A dual duty shelf paper as defined in claim 1 in which there is a zone of adhesive on the back of the edging section closely adjacent to said line of weakening to provide for attaching the edging section to the edge of a shelf when said edging section is used separately from the shelf covering section.

4. A dual duty shelf paper as defined in claim l in which there is a zone of adhesive on the back of the shelf covering section adjacent said line of weakening so as to provide for securing said shelf section in position on a shelf closely adjacent the edge of the latter.

5. A dual duty shelf paper asI dened in claim 1 in which there are two zones of adhesive, one on the back of the shelf section and the other on the back of the edging section, both Zones of adhesive being closely adjacent to said line of weakening and providing for securing both sections to the edge of a shelf on opposite sides of said self-creasing fold line when the shelf and edging sections are used together, said two zones of adhesive serving also to secure the associated section to the shelf when the shelf section and the edging section are separated along said line of weakening and used separately.

6. A shelf paper having a shelf covering section and an edging section connected together by a weakened fold line, said edging section being adapted to hang down from the edge of a shelf with the fold line coinciding with the upper edge of the shelf.

'7. A shelf paper having a shelf covering section and an edging section connected together by a, line of perforations defining a zone of separation to permit the edging section to be detached from the shelf covering section, said line of perforations being of ornamental formation so that when the edging section is detached, the edge of the shelf covering section is of ornamental appearance and is adapted to be exposed to view along the edge of a shelf on Which the shelf covering section is placed.

8. A shelf paper having a shelf covering section, an edging section of different material than the shelf covering section, and a connecting section having a line of scoring extending longitudinally thereof and dividing the connecting section into two portions which are adhesively united, respectively, to the adjacent edges of said shelf covering and edging sections.

9. A shelf paper comprising a shelf covering section, an edging section separate therefrom, a connecting section separate from said first menn tioned sections and having a line of perforations extending longitudinally thereof dividing the connecting section into two portions, and adhesive on one face of each portion by which the connecting section is secured to adjacent edges of said shelf covering and edging sections', the line of perforations of the connecting section defining optionally a fold line to coincide with the edge of a shelf when the first two mentioned sections are used together and defining a line of separation when the shelf covering and edging sections are used separately, there being adhesive on the back of the connecting section portion that is secured to edging section to provide for attaching the edging section to the edge of a shelf independently of said shelf covered section.

10. A shelf paper having a shelf covering section, a separate edging section, and a connecting section comprising an elongated strip having a line of perforations extending longitudinally and dividing the connecting section into two portions, one portion having adhesive on one side thereof and the other portion having adhesive on the other side thereof, by which said shelf covering section and said separate edging section are secured to opposite sides of the connecting strip with their adjacent edges disposed alongside the line of perforations in said connecting strip.

11. A shelf paper having a shelf covering section, a separate edging section, a connecting section comprising an elongated strip having a line of perforations extending longitudinally and dividing the connecting section into two portions, one portion having adhesive on one side thereof and the other portion having adhesive on the other side thereof, by which said shelf covering section and said separate edging section are secured to opposite sides of the connecting strip with their adjacent edges disposed alongside the line of perforations in said connecting strip, and zones of adhesive on the side of said strip portion receiving the edging section opposite the latter to provide for attaching the edging section and its portion of the connecting strip to the edge of a shelf after the shelf covering section and its portion of the connecting strip have been detached from the edging section and the other portion of the connecting strip along said line of perforations.

12. A shelf-width decorative shelf paper comprising an integral sheet having a relatively Wide shelf covering section and a relatively narrow decorative edging section, the latter having a treated surface whereby the edging section is stiffened and ornamented, and a narrow linearly straight self-creasing scored portion generally parallel to the longitudinal margins of said shelf paper and dividing the latter into said shelf covering and edging sections, said treated surface extending at least to said scored portion and the latter facilitating the creasing of the paper in a straight, line parallel to the margin of said edging section when applying the paper to a shelf with the treated edging section hanging straight by virtue of the coincidence of the creased score line with the upper edge of the shelf.

KENNETH C. HAMILTON. 

